Speech #680084705

And be not deceived. sirs. there are thousands and thousands of these alien citizens who came. or whose ancestors came. from that section of the world who desire only the cream of the population of those sections to cast anchor here. And they do not desire that they come in such numbers that they can not be properly assimilated and become real American citizens. I sympathize with the reasons that prompt American labor to champion restricted immigration. It is unfair to our own labor that the cheap labor of Europe should be thrown upon America to destroy our standard of living. but It is not that question that influences me most and fills me with a conviction that we should restrict immigration to America. That question is involved. but it is not paramount. God bless us. there is something deeper than that. something that moves me stronger than that. and that is our American civilization. the preservation of our ideals and the sanctity of our institutions. Let us look at the proposition from the broad. the big American viewpoint. In the consideration of this question. let us pay less attention to the protests that come from aliens and pay more attention to the petitions that come from Americans. In this fight for the adoption of the 1890 census and to restrict immigration. may I say. sirs. that while we may bring down upon our heads the disfavor of a few. we will receive the approval and applause of those splendid and patriotic organizations throughout this country that are fighting to preserve American traditions and uphold American principles. If It was unfair to Italy and Greece. do you imagine that those brave young lads that comprise 1.e American Legion- -comrades in arms with the gallant soldiers from those countries in the late Great War--- number of nationals of each group living in the country at the would want it adopted? There is not a single organization in time the law was passed.